CO2 Laser Resurfacing · Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
CO2 Laser Resurfacing in Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
Fractional and fully ablative (full-field) CO2 laser for deeper lines, sun damage, acne scars and rhinophyma, planned and performed by specialist dermatologist Dr Mitch Robinson, FACD.
Specialist consultations from $395 · No referral needed to book · CO2 is priced after assessment and confirmed in writing · See fees
A dermatologist-led clinic, founded by Dr Mitch Robinson, FACD, who teaches laser to dermatologists and registrars. CO2 laser here is performed by Dr Mitch, a specialist dermatologist, not a nurse.
Meet Dr MitchCO2 Laser Resurfacing at a Glance
What Is CO2 Laser Resurfacing?
The short answer: CO2 laser resurfacing removes damaged surface skin and heats the layer underneath, so your skin heals with new collagen. It comes in two forms. Fractional CO2 treats a grid of tiny columns and heals in about a week. Fully ablative, or full-field, CO2 treats the whole surface and takes about two weeks. At DERM Skin Specialists in Mount Gravatt, both are performed by specialist dermatologist Dr Mitch Robinson.
CO2 laser uses a 10,600 nm wavelength absorbed by water in the skin. It works more deeply than non-ablative lasers such as LaseMD, so it can improve deeper lines, sun damage and scars, with real downtime as the trade-off.
Our laser suite has two fractional CO2 lasers, set anywhere from light fractional passes to full-field resurfacing to suit your skin and the downtime you can plan for. We see patients from across Brisbane's southside, including Holland Park, Carindale and Upper Mount Gravatt.
Heat is quick. Collagen is slow.
What Results Can You Expect From CO2 Laser?
Most people see smoother, firmer-looking skin with softer lines and more even texture, rather than a different face. Fine lines, sun damage and shallow scars improve most. Deep folds and sagging skin improve less, because CO2 resurfaces the skin; it doesn't lift it.
Some change shows once your skin has healed, usually within a few weeks. Collagen then keeps remodelling, so texture and firmness keep improving for 3 to 6 months. We judge results at 3 months or later.
One session or a course? Full-field CO2 often gives a large change from a single session. Fractional CO2 usually needs a short course to build towards a similar result, with less downtime each time.
What the research says. In a study of 13 people with moderate to severe acne scars, two or three sessions of fractional CO2 reduced scar depth by about two-thirds on average, three months after the last session, with mild, short-lived side effects (Chapas 2008). In 9 people with light brown skin, one fractional CO2 session gave mild to moderate improvement in wrinkles, texture and pores at 6 months, but brown marks appeared in more than half at one month (Chan 2010). Reviews describe fully ablative CO2 as giving a bigger change from one treatment, with longer healing and more risk, and fractional CO2 as healing faster but often needing more than one session (Omi and Numano 2014).
How long do results last? Improvement is usually long-lasting, but your skin keeps ageing. Daily sun protection, good skincare and occasional lighter treatments help you keep the result.
CO2 Laser Before and After Photos
Patients of DERM Skin Specialists, photographed in the same conditions.
BeforeAfter
BeforeAfter 4 weeks
BeforeAfter 6 weeks
BeforeAfter 4 weeksBefore photo on the left in each pair. Tap a photo to see it larger. Individual results vary. Results depend on your skin type, the depth of treatment and how your skin heals. All procedures carry risks; see the risks section below.
Send Us Photos Before Your CO2 Laser Consult
Want to know whether CO2 laser suits your skin and roughly what it costs? Fill in a short form, then reply to our text with a few photos. We'll be in touch ASAP about the right consult and a price guide.
Photo tips: one close-up and one from further back. Normal room light is fine, no make-up or filters. For the face, add front and both sides.
Photos help us guide you but don't replace a consultation. Photos can't rule out skin cancer, so any new or changing spot needs an in-person skin check. Price guides are estimates; your exact costs are confirmed at your consult. For adults 18 and over. Photos are stored securely by our messaging provider, Podium, which may store data outside Australia.
Two depths, two recoveries
Fractional vs Fully Ablative CO2 Laser: What's the Difference?
"CO2 laser" covers two quite different treatments. The right one depends on how deep your concern is, your skin type and how much recovery you can plan for.
Fractional CO2
- What it does. Treats thousands of tiny columns of skin and leaves the skin between them untouched, which speeds healing.
- Suits. Fine to moderate lines, sun damage, texture and pores, acne scars and some surgical scars.
- Downtime. Redness, swelling and shedding for about 5 to 7 days.
- Sessions. Often a short course, a few months apart.
- Comfort. Numbing cream. It feels hot and prickly during treatment, then like sunburn.
- Skin types. Can be adjusted for olive skin, at gentler settings over more sessions.
Fully ablative (full-field) CO2
- What it does. Removes the entire surface layer across the treated area in one pass, and heats the skin beneath.
- Suits. Deep wrinkles, lines around the mouth and eyes, heavily sun-damaged skin and rhinophyma.
- Downtime. Oozing, crusting and peeling for about 2 weeks, then pinkness for several weeks or longer.
- Sessions. Usually one. Deeper treatment is sometimes staged.
- Comfort. For a full face: numbing cream for an hour, extra pain relief 30 minutes before, then local anaesthetic nerve blocks and tumescent anaesthetic.
- Skin types. Mainly fair skin. The risk of pigment change is higher in olive and darker skin.
Some people have a combination: deeper treatment to one area and lighter fractional treatment elsewhere, or treatment staged over time.
Bigger change, longer recovery
Who Is Fully Ablative (Full-Field) CO2 Laser For?
It gives the largest change from one treatment, but it isn't for everyone. Here's how we usually decide.
Full-field may suit you if
- You have deep wrinkles, such as smoker's lines around the mouth or crow's feet
- Your skin is heavily sun damaged, rough or weathered
- You have fair skin that rarely tans
- You can take about 2 weeks off and avoid the sun for months
- You'd rather have one bigger treatment than several smaller ones
Fractional may suit you better if
- Your lines are fine to moderate, or you mainly want better texture and pores
- You have acne scars, often treated with subcision or TCA CROSS as well
- You have olive skin or tan easily
- You can only take about a week off
- The area is your neck, chest or hands
We may suggest another option if
- You have darker skin, where pigment change is more likely
- You have active acne, a skin infection or a cold sore
- You form keloid or raised scars easily
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding
- Your main concern is sagging skin, melasma or redness
Resurfaces, doesn't lift
What Can CO2 Laser Treat?
CO2 laser is used for cosmetic concerns and some medical conditions.
More on CO2 laser for acne scars
- Deeper lines and wrinkles, including lip lines, crow's feet and crepey skin under the eyes
- Sun damage: rough, weathered or blotchy skin, once any spot of concern has been checked. More on sun damage
- Acne scars: boxcar and shallow rolling scars, often combined with subcision or TCA CROSS. More on acne scars
- Surgical and injury scars. More on scar revision
- Texture and enlarged pores
- Mild skin laxity: some tightening as collagen rebuilds, but not a lift
- Rhinophyma and xanthelasma, treated as medical conditions
Not the right tool for
- Melasma, which laser heat can make worse
- Redness and broken veins
- Active acne
- Sagging jowls or loose neck skin
- Skin cancer, which needs a diagnosis and its own treatment
Which areas can be treated?
Not every area suits every laser. Some areas do better with LaseMD, and we'll tell you which at your consultation.
Medical, not cosmetic
CO2 Laser for Rhinophyma and Xanthelasma
Rhinophyma is thickening of the skin of the nose linked to rosacea. Once the tissue has thickened, rosacea treatments on their own rarely change the shape much. Dr Mitch uses fully ablative CO2 to contour the nose, removing excess tissue to restore a more natural shape.
It takes about 45 minutes to an hour under local anaesthetic with a nasal block. Expect swelling and oozing for the first 1 to 2 weeks, with reviews on day 1, 5, 7 and 14. Most people look socially normal by about 3 to 4 weeks, though redness can take up to 6 months to settle. It's usually a one-off treatment, and Medicare item numbers may apply when eligible. More on rhinophyma treatment.
Xanthelasma, the soft yellow patches that form on the eyelids, can also be treated with CO2 laser. Like rhinophyma, it's assessed as a medical condition and may be eligible for a Medicare rebate depending on your presentation. It can come back after any treatment, and we may suggest a cholesterol check with your GP.
Dr Mitch on rhinophyma
"I see rhinophyma as a medical problem, not a cosmetic one."
"It's a significant procedure and it needs downtime. But it's usually a one-off."
From Dr Mitch's rhinophyma page.
What Happens at Your CO2 Laser Treatment?
From your first visit to treatment day, here's what to expect with CO2 laser at our Mount Gravatt clinic.
Your CO2 Laser Consultation
Dr Mitch examines your skin, checks any spots of concern and asks about your health, medicines and cold sores. He explains whether fractional, full-field or a gentler option suits you, and you get a written plan with the total cost.
Preparing Your Skin for CO2 Laser
Avoid sun, self-tan and active skincare for about 2 weeks beforehand. Tell us if you get cold sores; we'll plan for it. Arrange time off, and help at home for the first few days after full-field treatment.
CO2 Laser Treatment Day
Arrive about an hour early for numbing cream. Photos and consent are done on the day. Full-field treatment takes about 45 to 90 minutes, and you rest with us for about an hour afterwards before going home.
Honest about comfort
Does CO2 Laser Hurt?
CO2 laser is uncomfortable, and we won't pretend otherwise. How much you feel depends on the depth of treatment and the area.
Numbing cream goes on about an hour before treatment. With fractional CO2, most people feel heat and a prickling, snapping sensation. For a full-face, full-field treatment, you're also given extra pain relief about 30 minutes before, and the skin is numbed with local anaesthetic nerve blocks and tumescent anaesthetic (a dilute local anaesthetic fluid placed under the skin). We can add more pain relief during treatment if you need it. Rhinophyma contouring is done under local anaesthetic with a nasal block. Your eyes are protected, and cooling and smoke extraction are used throughout.
Afterwards, most people describe heat and tightness like sunburn for the first day or two, eased with aftercare and simple pain relief if needed. If you're worried about pain, tell us at your consultation. We'll go through your pain relief plan before the day. After a full-face treatment you'll need someone to drive you home.
Plan the fortnight
CO2 Laser Recovery Day by Day
A typical recovery. Yours depends on the depth, the area and how your skin heals.
Fractional CO2 Recovery
- Day 0. Skin feels hot and tight, like sunburn. Pinpoint bleeding or weeping is normal.
- Days 1 to 3. Redness and swelling peak, often most around the eyes. You may see a fine grid of dots.
- Days 3 to 7. The dots darken and flake off, and skin feels dry and itchy. Most people return to work at about day 5 to 7.
- Week 2 onwards. Pinkness fades over a few weeks. Makeup is usually fine once the surface has healed.
Full-field CO2
- Day 0. Red, swollen, oozing skin under a protective layer of ointment. You rest with us for about an hour.
- Days 1 to 3. Swelling peaks and your eyes may puff up. Oozing and crusting, cared for with saline soaks and ointment. Review on day 1.
- Days 4 to 10. Crusting and peeling, with new pink skin underneath. Itching is common. Review on day 7.
- Days 7 to 14. Most people return to light duties in about 7 to 10 days. The surface has usually healed by about 2 weeks.
- Weeks 2 to 12. Pinkness fades over several weeks, sometimes months. LED light sessions support healing. Review on day 30.
How much time off work?
Plan about 5 to 7 days after fractional CO2, and 1 to 2 weeks after full-field CO2. Allow longer if you work outdoors or in a dusty or hot environment.
Before an event
Allow at least 4 weeks after fractional CO2 and at least 8 weeks after full-field CO2, so pinkness has time to settle. Ideally allow 3 months, when collagen has had time to build.
Looking after your skin
Follow your written aftercare, don't pick crusts, and avoid sun, heat, swimming and hard exercise while you heal. Then use SPF 50+ every day for months.
When to Call Us After CO2 Laser Resurfacing
- Increasing pain, heat or swelling after the first 2 to 3 days
- Yellow crusting, pus, a bad smell or a fever
- Blisters or clusters of sores, which can be a cold sore flare
- An area that isn't healing, or is getting darker or thicker
Call 07 3487 1414. Outside hours, see your GP or go to an emergency department.
Pigment needs patience
CO2 Laser for Darker and Olive Skin
CO2 laser can be used in some olive and darker skin, but the risk of pigment change is higher. Brown marks, called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, are common in the weeks after treatment and usually fade. Lighter patches are less common but harder to treat.
Full-field CO2 carries the highest risk in darker skin and may not be recommended. Fractional CO2 at gentler settings, spread over more sessions, is usually the lower-risk route. For acne scars, treatments that don't heat the surface, such as subcision and TCA CROSS, can do much of the work.
In a study of 13 people with light brown skin treated three times with fractional CO2 for acne scars, mild brown marks developed in 12 of them but cleared in about 5 weeks on average (Manuskiatti 2010). That's why we plan for pigment from the start: gentler settings, skin preparation, strict sun protection and treatment in the cooler months.
Tell Us Before CO2 Laser Resurfacing If You
- Tan easily or rarely burn
- Have had brown marks after spots, burns or cuts
- Have had melasma
- Have had a reaction to a previous laser or peel
What Are the Risks of CO2 Laser? And How We Reduce Them
All procedures carry risks, and CO2 laser carries more than gentler lasers. Here are the main ones and what we do about each.
Common, Short-Term Side Effects of CO2 Laser Resurfacing
- Redness, swelling and oozing. Expected, especially after full-field treatment. We plan your time off and review you while you heal.
- Pinkness that lingers. Common after full-field CO2, sometimes for a few months. We review you and treat it if it persists.
- Brown marks. More likely in olive and darker skin. We adjust settings, prepare your skin and insist on sun protection.
- Acne flares and milia. Small spots and tiny white bumps are common while skin heals. Gentle aftercare helps, and we treat them if needed.
Less Common CO2 Laser Resurfacing Risks
- Infection, including cold sore flares. We check your history, plan for cold sores and see you early in healing.
- Lighter patches of skin. Mainly after full-field treatment, and they can appear months later. Older research on fully ablative CO2 found this a significant long-term risk (Bernstein 1997). We choose depth carefully, especially in olive skin.
- Scarring. Rare. We use the right depth for each area, only gentle fractional settings on the neck and chest, and see you quickly if healing is slow.
- Visible edges or eyelid changes. We treat whole areas and blend the edges, and check eyelid tone before treating near the eyes, because rarely the lower lid can pull down.
If something doesn't heal as expected, you come back to us. Call the clinic and we'll see you here. A dermatologist reviews any complication in person.
Compare the whole course
How Much Does CO2 Laser Cost in Brisbane?
A specialist consultation with Dr Mitch starts from $395. CO2 laser is priced after assessment, because the cost depends on:
- Whether you need fractional or full-field CO2
- The area, such as the full face, around the mouth or eyes, or a single scar
- The depth of treatment and the number of sessions
- Whether it's combined with other treatment, such as subcision or TCA CROSS for scars
- The pain relief, aftercare and reviews your plan needs
At your consultation you get a written plan with the total cost of the whole course, not just one session, before you decide. If you've seen CO2 laser advertised at a very different price, it's rarely like for like. A lighter fractional session costs less, but may need repeating several times to approach the result of one full-field treatment.
Medicare and private health. Cosmetic resurfacing for lines, sun damage or acne scars generally isn't covered by Medicare or private health insurance. Treatment for some diagnosed conditions, such as rhinophyma or xanthelasma, may be eligible for a Medicare rebate depending on your presentation. A referral isn't needed to book, but a valid referral is needed for any Medicare rebate on the consultation. See our fees.
What to look for when choosing a clinic for CO2 laser
- Who performs the treatment, and their training
- Whether it's fractional or fully ablative, and why that suits you
- The total cost of the course, in writing
- Your pain relief plan
- How often you'll be reviewed while you heal, and who to call if something goes wrong
- Before and after photos of the clinic's own patients, with the timing stated
Not always CO2
CO2 Laser vs Erbium, LaseMD, Pico and RF Microneedling
If your concerns are milder, or you can't take much time off, a gentler treatment can give you much of the benefit with less recovery. We'll tell you if that's the case.
- Erbium laser. Also ablative, with less heat spread into the surrounding skin. In a split-face study of 24 people with acne scars, fractional erbium and fractional CO2 gave similar results at 6 months, and CO2 was more uncomfortable (Manuskiatti 2013). More on erbium laser.
- LaseMD. A non-ablative laser with about 2 to 4 days of redness and flaking, for sun damage, pigment, early lines and maintenance, usually as a course of sessions. More on LaseMD.
- PicoSure Pro. For pigment and mild texture, with little downtime. More on PicoSure Pro.
- RF microneedling. For acne scars, texture and pores, especially in darker skin, with 1 to 3 days of redness but a smaller change per session.
- XERF skin tightening. For loose skin, which CO2 doesn't lift. More on XERF.
- Chemical peels. For lighter sun damage and dull skin. More on peels.
Your dermatologist
Your CO2 Laser Dermatologist: Dr Mitch Robinson, FACD
Specialist Dermatologist · Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
Dr Mitch plans and performs every CO2 laser treatment himself, from fractional treatments to full-field resurfacing and rhinophyma contouring, and reviews your healing. CO2 laser is not a nurse-led treatment at DERM Skin Specialists.
- Teaches laser to dermatologistsLectures on laser protocols and safety in Australia and Asia
- Fellowship training in complex scarringPlus cutaneous oncology and laser surgery
- Reviews you while you healDay 1, day 7 and day 30 reviews after full-field CO2
Dr Mitch is a clinical presenter and Signature Partner for Cynosure Lutronic, a laser manufacturer.
Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
CO2 Laser Resurfacing in Mount Gravatt
DERM Skin Specialists is at 2/1437 Logan Road, Mount Gravatt, about 15 minutes' drive from the Brisbane CBD, with free parking onsite. Patients come from Holland Park, Mansfield, Wishart, Eight Mile Plains and across Brisbane's southside and beyond. Travelling up from the Gold Coast? See our guide for Gold Coast patients.
Common Questions
CO2 Laser: Common Questions
How long does it take to heal after CO2 laser?
Fractional CO2 usually heals in about 5 to 7 days, and full-field CO2 in about 2 weeks. Pinkness can last several weeks after that, longer after full-field treatment.
How many CO2 laser sessions will I need?
Often one or two. Full-field CO2 is usually a single treatment. Fractional CO2 is often a short course, a few months apart, and acne scars may need more.
Can one session of CO2 laser make a difference?
Often, yes. One full-field treatment can give a large change, and one fractional session a smaller but visible one. Results keep building for 3 to 6 months.
Is fully ablative CO2 better than fractional?
Not better, different. Full-field gives a bigger change from one treatment but has a longer recovery and more risk. Fractional heals faster and suits more skin types.
When can I wear makeup after CO2 laser?
Once the surface has healed: usually about a week after fractional treatment and about 2 weeks after full-field treatment. We'll check at your review.
Can CO2 laser help under-eye wrinkles and crepey eyelids?
Yes, it's often used for crepey skin and fine lines around the eyes. Your eyes are shielded, and we check eyelid tone first, because rarely the lower lid can pull down.
Does CO2 laser work on lip lines?
Lines around the mouth are one of the main reasons people choose full-field CO2. Deep lines soften rather than disappear, and fractional CO2 can help finer lines.
Will CO2 laser tighten loose skin?
It gives some tightening as collagen rebuilds, but it doesn't lift sagging skin. For loose skin we may suggest a skin tightening treatment such as XERF, or a surgical opinion.
Does CO2 laser help pigmentation and sun spots?
It can even out sun-related pigment as damaged skin is replaced. It isn't used for melasma, which heat can worsen, and any spot of concern is checked first.
Is CO2 laser covered by Medicare?
Cosmetic resurfacing isn't covered. Treatment for some diagnosed conditions, such as rhinophyma or xanthelasma, may be eligible for a rebate depending on your presentation. We'll tell you at your consultation.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed to book. A valid referral, usually from your GP, is needed if you want a Medicare rebate on your consultation.
Will a dermatologist do my CO2 laser?
Yes. CO2 laser at DERM Skin Specialists is planned and performed by specialist dermatologist Dr Mitch Robinson, from consultation to aftercare. It isn't a nurse-led treatment.
Why does CO2 laser pricing vary so much between clinics?
Prices are rarely like for like. They depend on whether it's fractional or fully ablative, how many sessions you'll need for a comparable result, and who performs it. Compare the total cost of the course.
Can I have CO2 laser in summer?
Yes, but you'll need strict sun protection for months afterwards. In Brisbane, many people prefer the cooler months, especially for full-field treatment.
Can I have CO2 laser while pregnant or breastfeeding?
We usually wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Let us know at your consultation and we'll plan the timing with you.
What should I look for when choosing a clinic for CO2 laser resurfacing?
Ask who performs it, whether it's fractional or fully ablative, the total cost of the course, the pain relief plan, how often you'll be reviewed, and to see the clinic's own before and after photos.
Is CO2 laser better than microneedling?
CO2 laser usually gives a bigger change per session for lines and scars, with more downtime. RF microneedling has less downtime and suits darker skin, but the change from each session is smaller.
What if I'm not happy with my result?
Talk to us. We review your result at 3 months, once collagen has rebuilt. Some people benefit from a further session or another treatment, and we'll be honest about what more can achieve.
Find Out Which CO2 Laser Suits Your Skin
Book a consultation with Dr Mitch. He'll examine your skin, explain whether fractional, full-field or a gentler option suits you, and give you a written plan with the total cost before you decide.
Not ready to book? Send us photos first for a consult and price guide.
Clinical content overseen by Dr Mitch Robinson, FACD (AHPRA MED0001946771). Updated October 2026. General information only, not medical advice. All procedures carry risks; suitability, recovery and results vary between individuals.